Welcome to our June 2025 Monthly Update
A big thank-you to Tova Seelig is in order. Tova very generously donated $500 to Glen Eira U3A as a result of a presentation she delivered in February. I understand Tova is planning another presentation later in the year. This promises to be another engaging and valuable session. Details will be posted on the noticeboard in the Reception area in due course.
On Sunday, May 25, approximately 40 members gathered for our very first Have-Your-Say Afternoon Tea. This event provided a valuable opportunity for members to share their thoughts and ideas on enhancing Glen Eira U3A.
Program Highlights:
- Focus Groups: Attendees participated in three smaller groups to discuss ways to improve our U3A.
- Talent Utilisation Session: A session focused on optimising the skills and talents within our community.
- Resourcing Challenges Discussion: A final session addressed our current resourcing challenges and explored potential solutions.
Acknowledgements:
We extend our thanks to our three excellent facilitators:
- Anne-Margaret Healy (Course Coordinator)
- Bernadette Pierce (Secretary)
- Cheryl Rubinstein (Committee Member)
Their leadership in facilitating the discussions was instrumental in making the event a success.
Next Steps:
Although the event was a success, we recognise that resourcing and succession planning remain key challenges. I encourage all members to consider how you might contribute to addressing these challenges. If you’re interested in assisting in any capacity whatsoever, please contact anyone at the Reception desk; we would love to hear from you. The goodwill of our volunteers is the rocket fuel that propels our organisation.
As I’ll be away for a few weeks, a detailed report on the outcomes of the Have-Your-Say Afternoon Tea will need to wait until my return.
Mark Rubinstein
President
Upcoming Events
Glen Eira U3A and Bentleigh U3A Choir Concert“Golden Oldies” on Sunday 22 June, 2025 – 1.00 pm start, followed by afternoon tea. Location: Glen Eira U3A, 1151 Glen Huntly Road, Glen Huntly.
2025 Courses for Enrolment
We continue to have new courses offered to our members and there are some courses with positions available. A list of courses with vacancies is always available on our website. Enrol now!
25SOC07: Train Trip: Melbourne City (Sunday 27 July – one day)
Join us on Sunday 27 July for a Melbourne experience. We will start our day with a tram ride to the State Library. We will then have lunch at Young & Jackson at 12.30 in Chloe’s dining room, followed by the Immigration Museum guided tour at 2.30-3.15. Taking the 3.40pm train back to Glenhuntly Station.
- Timetable: We will meet at 10.00am at tram stop #60, corner of Glen Huntly Road and James Street (opposite Woolworths on Glen Huntly Road).
- A fortnight before the trip, the tutor will confirm details of meeting times and locations.
- Cost: A Myki card for the return train trip. All costs, including tours, food and drink are at the member cost.
- The Immigration Museum is free but the guided Immigration Museum Tour costs $10 and will need to be booked and paid for beforehand.
Please leave an envelope, addressed to Margaret Summers, for me at the Glen Eira U3A Reception Desk with your name and $10 in the envelope by 18 July.
25SOC08: Train Trip: Warragul (Sunday 17 August – one day)
Join us on Sunday August 17 for a train trip to Warragul. On arrival, we will take a stroll through the Park to visit the Historic Museum for our 11am guided tour ($2) followed by lunch at the Club Hotel.
- Timetable: the trip will commence from Caulfield station, with no Southern Cross changeover, on Sunday August 17 with a direct trip to Warragul.
- A fortnight before the trip, the tutor will confirm details of meeting times and locations.
- Cost: A Myki card for the return train trip. All costs, including tours, food and drink are at the member cost.
25SOC09: Train Trip: Kilmore (Sunday 14 September – one day)
Join us on Sunday September 14 for a train trip to Kilmore. Visiting the Old Kilmore Gaol for lunch. Bus from Kilmore Station to the Gaol Cafe and the Equine Precinct Sculptures.
- Timetable: the trip will commence from Caulfield station via Southern Cross on Sunday September 14.
- A fortnight before the trip, the tutor will confirm details of meeting times and locations.
- Cost: A Myki card for the return train trip. All costs, including tours, food and drink are at the member cost.
25SOC10: Train Trip: Sunbury (Sunday 19 October – one day)
Join us on Sunday October 19 for a train trip to Sunbury. We will be visiting the Rupertswood Mansion Gatehouse for a tour and lunch. We will stroll through the hub of town admiring the quaint shops on our way to the Mansion. It is now owned by Salesian College but the historic bluestone building known as The Gatehouse is a quaint eatery spread over several rooms so we will be lunching there instead of the usual Pub. Train from Caulfield via Southern Cross.
- Timetable: the trip will commence from Caulfield station on Sunday October 19.
- A fortnight before the trip, the tutor will confirm details of meeting times and locations.
- Cost: A Myki card for the return train trip. All costs, including tours, food and drink are at the member cost.
25SOC11: Mystery Country Train Trip (Sunday 23 November – one day)
Join us on Sunday November 23 for a Gippsland country “mystery town train trip”. We will enjoy some great Seniors meals at the Hotel. Checking out the township so you can say you have been to this mystery destination – and back!
- Timetable: the trip will commence from Caulfield station, with no Southern Cross changeover, on Sunday November 23.
- A fortnight before the trip, the tutor will confirm details of meeting times and locations.
- Cost: A Myki card for the return train trip. All costs, including tours, food and drink are at the member cost.
Mini Dried Flower Arranging (Mondays – one day courses – 10.00 to 11.30)
Discover the artistry of crafting mini dried flower arrangements in these upcoming one day courses. The courses will be held on the following days and times:
- 25CRA08 – Monday 10.00 to 11.30, July 21
- 25CRA09 – Monday 10.00 to 11.30, August 25
- 25CRA10 – Monday 10.00 to 11.30, September 29
You will learn the fundamentals of selecting, preserving and arranging delicate blooms into stunning compositions. From choosing the right flowers to mastering design techniques, this hands-on activity will unleash your creativity. Perfect for beginners and enthusiasts alike. Members will need to pay $20.00, and this will cover the cost of a vase, foam and flowers. Scissors and floral tape will be provided.
25GAM14: Come And Play 500 (Tuesdays – weekly – 13.00 to 15.00)
Come and join our group to play 500. 500 is somewhat similar to bridge, with trumps and tricks and bidding, but more relaxed. Very good for brain health. Come and have some fun!!
25GAM21: Thursday Scrabble (Thursdays – weekly – 13.00 to 15.00)
We play a friendly game of scrabble using the Collins Scrabble Words dictionary. Cheat sheets and dictionaries are available for reference. The tutors are social players and not experts and discussion of the meaning and uses of unusual words is encouraged.
News from the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Team
Stay Protected This Winter – Get Your Flu Shot!
As the colder months approach, it’s important to take steps to protect your health—and one of the most effective ways to do that is by getting your annual flu vaccination. The flu can be especially serious for seniors, leading to complications such as pneumonia, hospitalisation, or even more severe outcomes. By getting vaccinated, you not only help protect yourself, but also those around you, including friends and family members who may also be vulnerable.
Why It Matters More as We Age
As we get older, our immune systems naturally weaken, making it harder for our bodies to fight off infections like the flu. Even if you’ve been healthy in the past, the flu can hit harder and linger longer in older adults. The good news is that the flu vaccine has been specially formulated to offer better protection for seniors.
Don’t wait for the first sniffles of winter—plan to get vaccinated early in the season to ensure your body has time to build up full protection. Let’s all do our part to stay well this winter!
GLEN EIRA U3A – BOOK EXCHANGE
Our book exchange is very popular; thank you to all.
You may have noticed some changes to the books’ shelving. The first 3 shelves are dedicated to FICTION. They are alphabetically arranged by author’s surname.
When returning a book, please try to replace it near other books with the first letter of the author’s surname. That makes it easier for our volunteers who look after the library to re-shelve the books.
The last 2 shelves and the other bookcase (that has the box of glasses on top) are NON-FICTION. They cover a range of topics, such as: Biographies, True Stories, Travel, War, Reference, Self-help and Cookbooks.
It’s wonderful that so many people contribute to our book exchange. However please consider the following before donating a book:
- The book’s condition: Books with yellowed, brittle pages easily rips or fall out. Such books are better off in your recycle bin.
- The subject matter: Think about the U3A clientele and would you reread or recommend this book to others.
- Language: If the book is in a foreign language, is that language taught at the U3A? Approach the language tutor so the book can be shared with people who are interested in or speak that language. If you do not know the language tutor, ask a Reception volunteer to give the book to the appropriate tutor.
- Please remember we do not take DVDs, Videos, PC Games or any electronic devices.
Happy Reading!
WHAT’S NEW: JIGSAW PUZZLE EXCHANGE
As the weather gets colder, a great activity is to challenge yourself with a jigsaw puzzle. We are starting a Jigsaw Puzzle Exchange. Puzzles will be located on the table next to the bookshelf. It will be like our book exchange where members can borrow a jigsaw puzzle to complete at home and return it when done. Donations are welcome but only under these criteria:
- Only puzzles that have all their pieces can be donated. (Even if only 1 piece is missing, we can’t take it).
- Loose puzzle pieces should be in a sealed bag within the puzzle box. The puzzle box should be taped closed on 2 sides. These measures will ensure that puzzle pieces are not lost during transportation.
- If you lose a puzzle piece, and can’t find the missing piece, please dispose of the puzzle and not return it. It would be nice to donate another puzzle, but this is not essential.
- If you borrow a puzzle which has missing pieces, please dispose of it yourself, rather than returning it.